Page 31 of Saving Jennifer
“All of them,” Marcel confirmed. “Uncle Gator might have mentioned you could use backup. Every single one of them showed up, and they’re waiting. They can be here as quickly as they can get up this mountain. One call, Noah. That’s all it would take.”
“They came for me?” Noah’s voice was barely audible.
“Of course they did.” Marcel’s tone suggested it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Just like you’d come for any of us. That’s what being a Temple means. We show up when it matters.”
Something broke open inside Noah then, a dam he hadn’t realized he’d built. The emotions he’d kept bottled up for months—the anger, the hurt, the fear—came flooding out.
“I don’t deserve it,” he whispered.
Marcel reached over and gripped his shoulder. “You don’t have to deserve family, Noah. That’s not how it works. We’re here because we love you, not because you earned it.”
Noah looked at his brother, really looked at him, and saw the fierce loyalty in his eyes. It struck him then, with the force of revelation, that he wasn’t alone in this. That he had never been alone.
“I’ve missed you too,” Noah admitted, his voice rough with emotion. “All of you.”
Marcel smiled, relief evident in his expression. “Then stop hiding. Let us help you protect Jennifer. Let us be your family again.”
Noah nodded, unable to speak past the lump in his throat. Above them, the stars seemed to shine brighter, as if in affirmation. A gentle breeze stirred the trees, carrying with it the promise of dawn eventually breaking through the darkness.
“Tell me about them,” Noah said after a moment. “How’s Gray doing with that new garage? Did Scott finally propose to Melissa?”
Marcel’s smile widened. “Gray’s garage is booming. He’s got a six-month waiting list for custom work. He’s got customers coming from all over the state, and even some from Georgia and Kentucky. His reputation is growing. As for Scott…” He laughed. “That’s a whole story in itself.”
As Marcel filled Noah in on the family news he’d missed, Noah felt something he hadn’t experienced in a long time: belonging and a sense of peace. With his brothers standing with him, he had a better chance of keeping Jennifer safe. Perhaps give her a future where she didn’t have to look over her shoulder, where the shadow of the Amir family didn’t darken her days.
And perhaps, just perhaps, there was a place for him at that Sunday morning table again. Almost immediately a picture of Jennifer seated at his side sprang into his head, fully formed. She was smiling and laughing at something his mother said, and it felt—right.
He took another sip of bourbon, letting the warmth spread through him. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, but tonight, for the first time in a long time, he wasn’t facing them alone.
Jennifer awoke tothe enticing aroma of fresh coffee and sizzling bacon. For a moment, she lay still, savoring the unfamiliar comfort of feeling safe. The early morning light filtered through the cabin’s windows, the curtains pulled back to allow sunshine to spill inside, casting honeyed patterns across the hardwood floors.
Six days. In six days, she would have to face them again—Sayifa and Rashid Amir. The thought sent a familiar chill down her spine. She pulled the quilt closer, trying to push away memories of their cold, calculating eyes, the echo of their voices as they plotted to kidnap Chloe Hudson and murder her mother. And the entire time they’d expected her to help them, simply because she “owed it to Tarik.” Even now, she felt like such a fool for having trusted Tarik, believing he wanted her to be part of his family, part of his life. It had all been lies, because he wanted to use her. He’d tossed her aside when her usefulness came to an end.
Voices drifted from across the room, the direction of the kitchen—Noah’s deep, reassuring tone mingled with another similar yet distinctive male voice. Lying on the bed in the loft, and facing away from the kitchen, she couldn’t see them but knew she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep. Instead, she slipped into her robe and rose from the bed, padding quietly to the kitchen.
“Bonjour,” she said softly, tugging the robe tight.
Noah turned, his face softening at the sight of her. “Morning, Jen. Sleep okay?”
“Better than I have in months,” she admitted, before nodding to the other man standing across the kitchen. “Good morning, Marcel.”
Standing at the stove with his back to her, Marcel turned and shot a grin at her over his shoulder. His resemblance to Noah was striking, despite him being slightly shorter and leaner. He had the same familial features—sharp cheekbones, piercing gray eyes, and an air of quiet vigilance.
“Hey, Jen,” Marcel waved the spatula in his hand. “I already knew you were beautiful, but Noah failed to mention you were also punctual for breakfast. Hope you like bacon and eggs.”
Jennifer felt a blush rise to her cheeks at the backhanded compliment. “Thank you. That smells wonderful.”
Noah slid a mug of coffee across the table. “Marcel decided to stay the night. I wanted to toss him down the mountain after all his tall tales yesterday, but didn’t want to wake you.”
Jennifer wrapped her hands around the warm mug, inhaling the rich aroma. “I doubt I’d have heard a thing. After looking over my shoulder while staying in New Orleans, I think I’m finally learning to relax here.”
Noah’s expression darkened as Marcel placed a plate of bacon and eggs before her. “Don’t relax too much. Not yet.”
Marcel nodded grimly. “That’s partly why I’m here.”
Jennifer felt her appetite wane, anxiety and dread assailing her. “They’ve found us?”
“No,” Noah was quick to reassure her. “But Karim is getting desperate. He’s brought in more mercenaries.”